1x8gb ram or 2x4gb ram?
so im working on my new ryzen 5 budget build. as im stuck on the old fm2+ platform and im wondering should i get one 8gb stick leaving space to upgrade to 16gb around xmas.

or play it safe with 2 x 4gb sticks in dual channel and replace both with 2 8gb sticks. (more expensive)

ram i'm getting is vengeance LPX undecided whether to go for 2400mhz or 2800mhz. price point is minimal anyway.
Last edited by Spelmo3 | TGN; Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:51am

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Originally posted by Omega:
Originally posted by Spelmo3:
Originally posted by Omega:
I say get 8GB and add another identical 8GB module later. Ryzen's max supported memory speed becomes significantly lower the more modules you add. I don't recommend going over 2 modules with Ryzen.

its only a buget gigabyte a320 board so max 2 ram slots. just hoping there isnt too much of a drop in performance running single channel compared to dual.
I recommend against buying a A320 board, spend $15 more and get a Gigabyte B450 DS3H. You will later regret buying that A320 board due to lack of features, quality and support for new hardware.


You can go up to 2 modules before your max supported RAM speed drops.

You should get dual channel since it nearly doubles the RAM's bandwidth which improves gaming performance. However since you will upgrade to 16GB later I say get a single 8GB module for now, it will be cheaper to upgrade later. It would be a waste to replace 2 perfectly fine 4GB modules after only a few months.
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Showing 1-15 of 16 comments
Omega Aug 9, 2019 @ 8:04am 
I say get 8GB and add another identical 8GB module later. Ryzen's max supported memory speed becomes significantly lower the more modules you add. I don't recommend going over 2 modules with Ryzen.
Spelmo3 | TGN Aug 9, 2019 @ 8:13am 
Originally posted by Omega:
I say get 8GB and add another identical 8GB module later. Ryzen's max supported memory speed becomes significantly lower the more modules you add. I don't recommend going over 2 modules with Ryzen.

its only a buget gigabyte a320 board so max 2 ram slots. just hoping there isnt too much of a drop in performance running single channel compared to dual.
The author of this thread has indicated that this post answers the original topic.
Omega Aug 9, 2019 @ 8:19am 
Originally posted by Spelmo3:
Originally posted by Omega:
I say get 8GB and add another identical 8GB module later. Ryzen's max supported memory speed becomes significantly lower the more modules you add. I don't recommend going over 2 modules with Ryzen.

its only a buget gigabyte a320 board so max 2 ram slots. just hoping there isnt too much of a drop in performance running single channel compared to dual.
I recommend against buying a A320 board, spend $15 more and get a Gigabyte B450 DS3H. You will later regret buying that A320 board due to lack of features, quality and support for new hardware.


You can go up to 2 modules before your max supported RAM speed drops.

You should get dual channel since it nearly doubles the RAM's bandwidth which improves gaming performance. However since you will upgrade to 16GB later I say get a single 8GB module for now, it will be cheaper to upgrade later. It would be a waste to replace 2 perfectly fine 4GB modules after only a few months.
_I_ Aug 9, 2019 @ 8:22am 
if the board has 4 dimm slots, get a 2x4g kit
and a similar 2x4 or 2x8 kit later
Omega Aug 9, 2019 @ 8:36am 
Originally posted by _I_:
if the board has 4 dimm slots, get a 2x4g kit
and a similar 2x4 or 2x8 kit later
I recommend against getting 2x4 and adding another 2x4 later on Ryzen. Unless you don't mind running your 3200Mhz kits at 1866/2133Mhz.
Snow Aug 9, 2019 @ 9:12am 

This will answer your 1x8 vs 2x4 question. And 2x8 is even better of cuz.
Spelmo3 | TGN Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:14am 
Originally posted by Snow:

This will answer your 1x8 vs 2x4 question. And 2x8 is even better of cuz.

i think i might take a look at some other videos.. eventually im going for 2x8gb. hence putting off getting 2x4gb. but im thinking how bad the performance loss could be...
Bad 💀 Motha Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:21am 
Any new pc you should just be getting 2x8gb. Prices are low now, and really no modern pc should be having below this for ram, it just doesn't make sense to do so.

Build around a B450 board at the very least. You lose way too much going with crap boards like A320.
Last edited by Bad 💀 Motha; Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:23am
I have a Ryzen3, B450M and ran with 16GB.
I can't imagine how awful an 8GB max RAM will be for you, especially after Windows takes the few GB it does.

Get the better MoBo and definitely start with 8GB to use the dual channel for a 16GB potential later. 8GB max is just a waste of money.

I just recently added a GPU after 8 months myself. The wait isn't so bad to add that 8GB RAM stick, but make sure they're the exact same sticks so they work together with dual channel. As for GPU you will be able to run a great amount of programs and games with the integrated graphics whilst waiting.

Don't rip yourself off in a rush to run a budget build. Budget means cheap, but too cheap leads to problems and more money later. Make sure you 100% get a good GPU.

Its really late here but when I wake up tomorrow I'll be happy to provide a list of my Ryzen3 kit items so you can try similar to aiit your Ryzen5. You just need to make sure everything is compatible and ready to compliment the way Ryzen gear works.
Spelmo3 | TGN Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:26am 
Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:
Any new pc you should just be getting 2x8gb. Prices are low now, and really no modern pc should be having below this for ram, it just doesn't make sense to do so.

but thats not what im asking..

systems can run find on 8 gb..

as stated.. i will be upgrading eventually.

some of us have bills to pay and kids to feed. so budgets can be tight.

Bad 💀 Motha Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:29am 
But upgrade.... why is the question. Just get it and be done. It's super cheap now. Just buy a matching kit whenever you buy ram, ALWAYS. You're not saving anything by penny pinching between 8 vs 16. Just makes for a headache later on often times.
Last edited by Bad 💀 Motha; Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:31am
Originally posted by Spelmo3:
Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:
Any new pc you should just be getting 2x8gb. Prices are low now, and really no modern pc should be having below this for ram, it just doesn't make sense to do so.

but thats not what im asking..

systems can run find on 8 gb..

as stated.. i will be upgrading eventually.

some of us have bills to pay and kids to feed. so budgets can be tight.
No reason to upgrade when it is actually downgrade that will cost you later. Its like buying a car with a bad engine and then you need to fix it later...
Spelmo3 | TGN Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:35am 
Originally posted by SPQROddHistory:
I have a Ryzen3, B450M and ran with 16GB.
I can't imagine how awful an 8GB max RAM will be for you, especially after Windows takes the few GB it does.

Get the better MoBo and definitely start with 8GB to use the dual channel for a 16GB potential later. 8GB max is just a waste of money.

I just recently added a GPU after 8 months myself. The wait isn't so bad to add that 8GB RAM stick, but make sure they're the exact same sticks so they work together with dual channel. As for GPU you will be able to run a great amount of programs and games with the integrated graphics whilst waiting.

Don't rip yourself off in a rush to run a budget build. Budget means cheap, but too cheap leads to problems and more money later. Make sure you 100% get a good GPU.

Its really late here but when I wake up tomorrow I'll be happy to provide a list of my Ryzen3 kit items so you can try similar to aiit your Ryzen5. You just need to make sure everything is compatible and ready to compliment the way Ryzen gear works.


i run on 2x4gb ddr 3 at the moment and runs fine. il look into a better motherboard. i can spare an extra £20-30 or so. ive got a decent evga psu. (not long replaced my older psu) and il be using my gtx 1050ti to get me by until i upgrade that aswel.

doesnt need to be a monster of a gaming machine. playing 1080p medium settings and a stable frame time does me..

i'd love to see your list, will defintely help choosing parts.
emoticorpse Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:49am 
Originally posted by Spelmo3:
Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:
Any new pc you should just be getting 2x8gb. Prices are low now, and really no modern pc should be having below this for ram, it just doesn't make sense to do so.

but thats not what im asking..

systems can run find on 8 gb..

as stated.. i will be upgrading eventually.

some of us have bills to pay and kids to feed. so budgets can be tight.

Get the 2x4 and save your money period instead of going to 16 gb. Save money for more important things.
Spelmo3 | TGN Aug 9, 2019 @ 11:57am 
♥♥♥♥ it. going to drop to ryzen 3. get a better MB and stick to 8gb faster ram. itll pair nicely to what ive already got..

just want to get of a dead platform more than anything.
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Date Posted: Aug 9, 2019 @ 8:01am
Posts: 16